Diagnosed with Bartonella - Part 2

If you missed Part 1 of this journey, find that here


It's been a hot minute for me to get this post out to you all, but I recently had my follow up appointment with my LLNP regarding my new Bartonella co-infection diagnosis. Here’s the latest for you who are following along with me in this journey. I’ll talk about symptoms, why it was easy to miss this diagnosis earlier on, and a bit about my current treatment plan.


Bartonella, also known as Cat Scratch Disease, has SO MANY possible symptoms. Here’s just one chart of some that can come with this tick borne illness.




I don’t know exactly how long I’ve had this co-infection since I’ve previously always tested negative for it and haven’t had any recent tick bites (for YEARS). Looking back, early in Lyme treatment I did have some burning in the bottoms of my feet/neuropathy, spider veins, mental health/emotional health challenges, cold extremities, GI tract issues, sensitivities to stimulation, and more possible symptoms off of the above chart. So I would guess that I’ve actually had Bart as long as I’ve had Lyme. BUT, through a reputable lab (and my LLNP) I tested negative for Bartonella every time (a couple times throughout the years). And with my Lyme and other co-infection treatments, my symptoms DID all improve. So I wasn’t expecting to come back positive for Bart here almost 10yrs later. It was easy to attribute those symptoms to other tick borne illnesses I DID test positive for, notice my positive response to treatment, and keep moving forward without continuing to spend money on more lab work to “dig” further (when symptoms didn’t warrant it).


What brought me here was that I was kind of “stalled’ in my Lyme healing, despite seeming to respond well to treatment. In reviewing EVERYTHING in my chart, my LLNP felt compelled to try ONE more Bart test, this time through one of THE most sensitive labs for Bart - Galaxy Diagnostics Labs. They don’t take insurance, so my test ran around $260 for a Bartonellosis IgG serology panel. 


So what is my individual plan then? Well I’m actually excited to not be adding antibiotics to the mix! At least not right now. We’re working with herbals that I’m currently on and adding in some new goodies. It will be a “step-by-step” treatment plan over the next few months. 


I’ve been on A-Bart tincture since my labs for Bart were drawn this winter. (With a brief hiatus when I forgot to take it for a few weeks. *facepalm*) I’m working up to 20 drops of A-Bart, but it is causing some herxing, so I’m right around 12 drops 2x/day and staying there for a bit to let my body adjust and kill some Bart. I will be increasing my Cat’s Claw and Andrographis dosing slightly in the meantime. And then in a couple weeks adding in Japanese Knotweed. Once I’m up to my LLNP’s goal dose there, I’ll work on increasing the A-Bart again to that goal dose. And finally, this spring, I’ll add in Crypto-Plus tincture from Researched Nutritionals. 


Whew! It sounds intense, but I’m honestly excited to be kicking this thing (and ALSO my Lyme finally!) to the curb! It’s likely that Bartonella has been interfering with my ability to fully heal my Lyme, so I’m ready to give this leg of my journey maximum fighting effort! 


Of course I’ll keep bringing you along with me! Stay tuned for updates as I have them, and send me all the positive healing prayers and vibes! I’ll be returning the favor for YOU!


I’d love for you to check out the video I did about Part 2 of my Bartonella healing journey! Catch it HERE.


**Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional here to diagnose, treat, cure, or otherwise influence your medical journey outside of the guidance of a medical professional. I am simply sharing my own journey and what I have learned along the way. Please find a doctor you trust and discuss any medical concerns or treatments with them.

0 Comments

Leave a Comment

Meet Adele

 
          Half my lifetime ago I was expecting to be permanently disabled or even dead at a young age unless I found a way back to hope and health. As a result of a mystery illness, I was nearly bed-ridden as a teenager. Sometimes I had to CRAWL up the 7 steps to my bedroom to get to bed because I couldn’t walk that far. I HAD to nap every single day. I was in *constant* burning, aching pain throughout my body and experienced exhaustion and brain fog so bad I could barely communicate. I had quit all sports, babysitting and other jobs. My ambitions, successes, sense of self, and LIFE were slipping through my fingers. I had been misdiagnosed with autoimmune conditions for years only to finally discover that Lyme disease and co-infections were the primary culprit of my medical mysteries. At the time of my diagnosis, I was spiraling into depression, helplessness, and hopelessness.  I had no idea where this journey would take me, but I could not see a light at the end of it, and that was just plain scary.
 
          My mom took me to many doctors, but none specialized in Lyme and tick borne illnesses. They all treated the symptoms I was having as best as they could, but I was still getting slowly worse, or having side effects from medications I was being put on. So my mom and I sought alternative options out of desperation. Homeopathy, diet changes, proper supplements, and rest finally started to lead me into healing and the fog started to lift. During that time, myofascial release from a certified massage therapist was one of the most helpful modalities I tried. She used essential oils too, and that was officially my first introduction to their power. All of these alternative options helped me survive, start to thrive, and begin the next leg of my journey: becoming a nurse. I thrived in a career that combined science, research, and helping others through their suffering and health goals. In my young adult years, I finally had the opportunity to continue my treatment and health journey with a Lyme specialist, which has helped me heal more fully than I ever would have thought possible 10yrs ago. 

          I knew that as I got married, started a family, and was working on healing my body, I had some big goals: 1) to be there for my family and to be able to care for them fully and 2) to have a non-toxic home and life in order to live our best lives. My cousin shared with me some of her journey, which had similarities to my own. She was using some things I was already curious about, including essential oils and specialized supplements. I was HOOKED after the first sample I tried! I could now clearly visualize the next steps of my healing journey - hope had returned!
              
          Now, I have endless hope. I can LIVE LIFE. This is the healthiest I’ve truly been since about age 14 and I’m thriving! I’ve been able to advocate for my own 4 babies, 3 of whom have ended up with Lyme too. I’m dedicated to using my nursing background and love of education in combination with appreciation for functional medicine and alternative therapies to help everyone I can. My hope is renewed. I am empowered and equipped. I’m enjoying and embracing the journey and want to help YOU to be able to have all of that too!

          If you're ready to link arms with me and walk this journey together, please reach out! I'd LOVE to hear from you!


**Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional here to diagnose, treat, cure, or otherwise influence your medical journey outside of the guidance of a medical professional. Please find a doctor you trust and discuss any medical concerns or treatments with them. Also, please know, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases through my site at no extra cost to you.

Contact

Copyrights © 2025 held by respective copyright holders, including Wellness with Adele.